Devices and methods for implanting corneal tissue

ABSTRACT

A device for manipulating an implant includes a handle coupled to a guide extending from the handle to a distal end. The device includes an engagement mechanism disposed at the distal end of the guide and configured to engage an implant. The device includes a first actuator disposed on the handle and coupled to the engagement mechanism. The first actuator causes the engagement mechanism to engage the implant. The device includes an air chamber disposed in an interior chamber of the handle and configured to hold air. The device includes a lumen coupled to the air chamber and extending along the guide to the distal end. The lumen includes an air channel extending through the lumen. The device includes a second actuator disposed on the handle. The second actuator causes the air chamber to deliver the air, via the air channel, to the distal end.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/467,319, filed Mar. 6, 2017, the contents of which are incorporated entirely herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure pertains to devices and methods for implanting tissue, and more particularly, to devices and methods for implanting donor tissue in the posterior cornea.

Description of Related Art

Endothelial cell disorders of the eye include Fuchs' endothelial dystrophy, posterior polymorphous membrane dystrophy, congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy, bullous keratopathy, and iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome. To treat such disorders, procedures such as Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), Descemet's Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty (DSEK), and deep lamellar endothelial keratoplasty (DLEK) replace the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane with a layer of donor tissue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an example implant device for implanting donor corneal tissue in an eye, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates a distal end of the example implant device of FIG. 1A for manipulating the donor corneal tissue, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates a view of an interior chamber of the example implant device of FIG. 1A, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1D illustrates aspects of an air delivery mechanism of the example implant device of FIG. 1A, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example implant device for implanting donor corneal tissue in an eye, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates aspects of an example implementation of the example implant device of FIG. 1A, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates further aspects of the example implementation of FIG. 3A, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another example implant device for implanting donor corneal tissue in an eye, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

According to aspects of the present disclosure, example embodiments can deliver an implant to an implant site and further manipulate the implant so that it can be received by the implant site. For instance, example embodiments can replace the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane to treat an endothelial cell disorder. In particular, example embodiments can deliver donor corneal tissue to the posterior cornea within an eye and further manipulate the donor corneal tissue for implantation into the posterior cornea. Such manipulation may involve flattening the donor corneal tissue so that it can be properly received by the posterior cornea.

According to an example embodiment, a device for manipulating an implant includes a handle including an interior chamber. The device includes a guide coupled to the handle and extending from the handle to a distal end. The device includes an engagement mechanism disposed at the distal end of the guide and configured to engage an implant. The device includes a first actuator disposed on the handle and coupled to the engagement mechanism. The first actuator is operable to cause the engagement mechanism to engage the implant. The device includes an air chamber disposed in the interior chamber of the handle and configured to hold air. The device includes a lumen coupled to the air chamber and extending along the guide to the distal end. The lumen includes an air channel extending through the lumen. The device includes a second actuator disposed on the handle. The second actuator is operable to cause the air chamber to deliver the air, via the air channel of the lumen, to the distal end.

According to an example embodiment, a method for operating a tissue manipulation device includes operating a first actuator on a handle of a tissue manipulation device to cause an engagement mechanism to engage a corneal implant. The engagement mechanism is disposed at a distal end of a guide extending from the handle. The method includes extending the guide into an eye and positioning the corneal implant at an implant site at a corneal posterior. The method includes operating a second actuator on the handle of the tissue manipulation device to deliver air to the corneal implant from an air chamber disposed in an interior chamber of the handle. The air is delivered via a lumen coupled to the air chamber and extending along the guide to the distal end. The method includes operating the first actuator to release the corneal implant from the engagement mechanism.

In the example embodiments above, the engagement mechanism may include a forceps having a first jaw and a second jaw, where the first actuator cause the first jaw and the second jaw to move relative to each other to engage the implant between the first jaw and the second jaw. The engagement mechanism may include a first jaw of a forceps and a part of the lumen defines a second jaw of the forceps, where the first actuator causing the first jaw to move relative to the second jaw to engage the implant between the first jaw and the second jaw.

In the example embodiments above, the air chamber may be compressible and the second actuator causes the air chamber to deliver the air by applying pressure to the air chamber. The air chamber may be formed by an air bladder formed from a pliable material.

DESCRIPTION

According to aspects of the present disclosure, example embodiments can deliver an implant to an implant site and further manipulate the implant so that it can be received by the implant site. The implant may be formed from natural tissue. In some cases, the implant may be an allograft, i.e., tissue that is transplanted between members of the same species. In other cases, the implant may be as xenograft, i.e., tissue that is transplanted between members of different species. Alternatively, the implant may be formed from a synthetic material.

For instance, example embodiments can replace the corneal endothelium and Descemet's membrane to treat an endothelial cell disorder. In particular, example embodiments can deliver donor corneal tissue to the posterior cornea within an eye and further manipulate the donor corneal tissue for implantation into the posterior cornea. Such manipulation may involve flattening the donor corneal tissue so that it can be properly received by the posterior cornea.

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate an example device 100, which can be employed, for instance, to implant donor corneal tissue in the posterior cornea. The example device 100 includes a handle 102. The handle 102 may be formed from a hard plastic suitable for a surgical device. The handle 102 allows a practitioner to operate the device 100 with one hand. To provide a more secure hold by the practitioner, the handle 102 may include a grip 104. The grip 104 may include a textured surface formed with the material of the handle 102 and/or a high friction material (e.g., tacky plastic or rubber material) applied to the handle 102.

The device 100 also includes an elongate guide 106 that is coupled to the handle 102 and extends longitudinally (along the x-axis) from the handle 102 to a distal end 106 a. The guide 106 may be formed from surgical stainless steel or the like. Additionally, the guide 106 includes a guide channel 106 b that passes through the length of the guide 106.

The device includes an implant manipulation system 108 disposed at the distal end 106 a of the guide 106. The implant manipulation system 108 is configured to manipulate an implant during an implant procedure. The components of the implant manipulation system 108 may be formed from surgical stainless steel or the like.

The implant manipulation system 108 may include a forceps device that can hold the implant. With the implant held by the forceps device, the device 100 can be maneuvered to deliver the implant to an implant site. Because the forceps device is disposed at the distal end 106 b of the guide 106, the elongate guide 106 allows the device 100 to extend the implant into a body cavity where the implant site may be located.

The forceps device is formed by a first jaw 108 a and a second jaw 108 b. FIG. 1B illustrates the forceps in an open state, where a space is formed between the first jaw 108 a and the second jaw 108 b. Conversely, when the forceps are in a closed state, the first jaw 108 a and the second jaw 108 b are pressed against each other. As such, the device 100 can hold the implant when the forceps are in the closed state and release the implant when the forceps are in the open state. The handle 106 includes a first actuator 110 a that can be operated by the practitioner to move the forceps device between open and closed states. In some cases, the first actuator 110 a may be operated by pushing it into the handle 102. In other cases, the first actuator 110 b may be operated by sliding it along the handle 102 (e.g., along the x-axis). In some cases, the first jaw 108 a is biased away from second jaw 108 b and the first actuator 110 a is operated to press the first jaw 108 a against the second jaw 108 b. In other cases, the first jaw 108 a is biased against the second jaw 108 b and the first actuator is operated to move the first jaw 108 a away from the second jaw 108 b.

As shown in the cut-away view of FIG. 1C, the handle 102 includes an interior chamber 102 a. Additionally, the guide 106 extends into the interior chamber 102 a. The device 100 includes a coupling 112 that is connected to the first actuator 110 a on the exterior of the handle 102. The coupling 112 extends from the first actuator 110 a, through the guide channel 106 b, and to the distal end 106 b where it is connected to the forceps device. The coupling 112 may include a cable or linkages that cause the first jaw 108 a to press against or move away from the second jaw 108 b when the first actuator 110 a is operated.

The implant manipulation system 108 can also deliver air to the implant to prepare the implant for implantation. As described further below, for instance, air can be employed to flatten donor corneal tissue so that it can be properly implanted into the posterior cornea. A lumen 108 c extends through the guide channel 106 b. The lumen 108 c includes an interior air channel 108 d for delivering air to the implant at the distal end 106 a. As shown in FIG. 1B, a portion of the lumen 108 c forms the second jaw 108 b of the forceps device. Thus, the lumen 108 c is a dual-purpose structure that acts as the second jaw 108 b of the forceps device in addition to delivering air. The advantages of this particular configuration are described further below.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the lumen 108 c extends into the interior chamber 102 a of the handle 102. An air bladder 114 is disposed in the interior chamber 102 a and is coupled to the lumen 108 c. The air bladder 114 includes an air chamber 114 a that holds air that can be delivered into the lumen 108 c. The air bladder 114 may be formed from a pliable material, such as an elastomeric plastic or rubber or the like. As such, the air bladder 114 can be mechanically compressed to push the air from the air chamber 114 a into the air channel 108 d of the lumen 108 c. The handle 106 includes a second actuator 110 b that can be operated to deliver air, via the lumen 108 c, to the implant at the distal end 106 a. The practitioner may press the second actuator 110 b into the handle 102 to cause the second actuator 110 b to apply a corresponding pressure against the air bladder 114.

FIG. 1D illustrates further aspects of the air delivery mechanism of the device 100. The device 100 may include a first one-way valve 116 a that allows air from the air chamber 114 a to move in one direction from the air bladder 114 into the air channel 108 d of the lumen 108 c. After the air bladder 114 is compressed from an initial shape to deliver air into the lumen 108 c, the material of the air bladder 114 may cause the air bladder 114 to expand back to the initial state. Such expansion of the air bladder 114 draws air back into the air chamber 114 a for additional delivery of air to the implant. The device 100 may also include a second one-way valve 116 b that allows outside air to move in one direction from an air intake 118 into the air chamber 114 a. Thus, the first one-way valve 116 a blocks air from being drawn into the air chamber 114 a when the air bladder 114 expands, and the second one-way valve 116 b blocks air from being pushed through the air intake 118 when the air bladder 114 is compressed. In some cases, air filters (not shown) may also be employed, for instance at the air intake 118, to filter the air before the air is delivered to the implant.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1A-D. Other embodiments may employ different configurations. For instance, FIG. 2 illustrates another example device 200, which is similar in most respects to the example device 100. Like the example device 100, the device 200 includes a handle 202 with a first actuator 210 a to operate a forceps device defined by a first jaw 208 a and a second jaw 208 b at a distal end 206 a. Additionally, the handle 202 includes a second actuator 210 b to deliver air to the distal end 206 a via an air channel 208 d in a lumen 208 c. A portion of the lumen 208 c also forms the second jaw 208 b of the forceps device.

Although the device 100 can be operated with one hand, operation of the device 200 with one hand is further facilitated by the configuration of the handle 202. In particular, the first actuator 210 a and the second actuator 210 b have relative positions that allow the practitioner to simultaneously access the first actuator 210 a with a thumb and the second actuator 210 b with an index finger. In other words, the practitioner is not required to re-grasp and re-orient his/her hand on the handle 202 for alternating operation of the first actuator 210 a and the second actuator 210 b.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second actuator 210 b is spaced more distally (closer to the distal end 206 a along the x-axis) than the first actuator 210 a to accommodate the longer reach of an index finger. In addition, the first actuator 210 a is spaced further from the second actuator 210 b along the periphery of the handle 202 (where the periphery of the handle 202 is defined on a plane intersecting the x-axis) to accommodate the transverse distance between the thumb and the index finger. In alternative embodiments, the first actuator 210 a may be positioned for operation by the index finger while the second actuator 210 may be positioned for operation by the thumb. Furthermore, while the device 200 shown in FIG. 2 may be configured for right-handed use, alternative embodiments may be configured for left-handed use.

As described above, the features of the example devices 100 and 200 are provided in a single integrated unit. Thus, the devices 100 and 200 can be more easily and conveniently operated without relying on additional external devices/systems.

Additionally, the features of the devices 100 and 200 are provided by mechanical components. As such, the devices 100 and 200 can be operated without electric/electronic components and power sources. Without electric/electronic components and power sources, the devices 100 and 200 may be less likely to malfunction. In addition, the devices 100 and 200 can be produced in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The low cost of production makes it more feasible to employ the devices 100, 200 as disposable, one-time use devices. In some cases, however, the devices 100 and 200 may be sterilized for repeated use.

In general, example embodiments can deliver an implant to an implant site and further manipulate the implant so that it can be received by the implant site. Although the devices described herein may employ a forceps device to hold the implant, other embodiments may additionally or alternatively include other types of engagement mechanisms to manipulate the implant. For instance, some embodiments may employ needles, hooks, blades, and/or other tools.

In addition, although the devices described herein may employ an air bladder to apply air to the implant, other embodiments may employ other types of air containers that can be operated to release air. For instance, some embodiments may air pistons, while other embodiments may employ pressurized cartridges with actuated valves to release air from the cartridge. In alternative embodiments, it is contemplated that a non-air gas may be delivered to the implant.

Furthermore, although the lumen may pass through the guide channel in the devices described herein, the lumen in other embodiments may extend externally along the guide.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate an example implementation of the device 100 described above. (It is contemplated, however, that the device 200 may be alternatively employed in the example implementation.) As shown in FIGS. 3A-B, the device 100 may be employed to treat an endothelial cell disorder by replacing the corneal endothelium and Deseemet's membrane.

The device 100 can deliver donor corneal tissue 30 to the posterior cornea 32 within an eye. In particular, with the handle 102 in one hand, a practitioner may operate the actuator 110 a to open and close the jaws 108 a and 108 b to engage an edge of the donor corneal tissue 30 outside the eye. The tissue 30 may include a Descemet's membrane 30 a as well as an endothelial layer 30 b. The tissue 30 may roll into a scroll or form a folded shape with the endothelial layer 30 b facing outwardly as shown in FIG. 3A. The forceps device holds the tissue 30 so that the fist jaw 108 a is positioned against the endothelial layer 30 b, while the second jaw 108 b is positioned against the Descemet's membrane 30 a inside the scroll or folded shape.

With the tissue 30 securely held between the jaws 108 a and 108 b, the practitioner can maneuver the device 100 to move the tissue 30 through an incision in the eye and to the implant site at the posterior cornea 32. The elongate guide 106 allows the practitioner to extend the tissue 30 into the eye.

After the donor corneal tissue 30 is delivered to the implant site, the practitioner can operate the actuator 110 b to deliver a volume of air through the air channel 108 d to the distal end 106 a. In this example, compression of the air bladder 114 via the actuator 210 b may deliver approximately 0.25 cm³ to approximately 0.50 cm³ of air. Because a portion of the lumen 108 c also forms the second jaw 108 b of the forceps device, operation of the forceps device advantageously positions the lumen 108 c inside the scroll or folded shape and allows the volume air is also delivered inside the scroll or folded shape.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the volume of air applies a pressure in an area 34 against the Descemet's membrane 30 a and causes the tissue 30 to unroll or unfold. In this way, the device 100 can employ air to flatten the tissue 30 so that it can be properly received by the posterior cornea. The lumen 108 c is configured with a length that delivers the air to an area 34 where the air more effectively flattens the tissue 30. Once the tissue 30 is flattened, the tissue 30 is ready for further steps in the implantation process. The practitioner can thus operate the first actuator 110 a to release the tissue 30 and maneuver the device 100 to retract the device 100 from the eye. Further steps in the implantation process may include removal of the air delivered by the device 100 so that the implant site can receive the tissue 30.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example device 400 for manipulating an implant. Similar to the devices 100 and 200 above, the device 400 includes a handle 402 and a guide 406 that extends from the handle 402 to a distal end 406 a. Like the devices 100 and 200, the device 400 can be employed, for instance, to deliver donor corneal tissue to the posterior cornea within the eye and flatten the donor corneal tissue so that it can be properly received by the posterior cornea.

The device 400, however, demonstrates that various configurations are contemplated for the forceps device and/or air delivery mechanism according to aspects of the present disclosure. In particular, the device 400 includes an implant manipulation system 408 that differs from those of the devices 100 and 200. The implant manipulation system 408 does not employ a lumen that passes through the guide 106 and delivers air from an air bladder disposed in the handle 402. Rather, the implant manipulation system 408 includes an external lumen 408 c that is coupled to an external air source (not shown) via a connector 418. The external lumen 408 c is coupled to the handle 402 via a coupling 420, such as a band, tape, or the like. The external lumen 408 c extends along the guide 406 to the distal end 406 a. A channel 408 d passing through the external lumen 408 c can thus deliver air to the implant. Because the air is delivered from an external air source, the handle 402 does not include an actuator for operating the air delivery, in contrast to the handles 102 and 202 above. In alternative embodiments, the external lumen 408 c is coupled, via the connector 418, to an external source that provides a non-air gas.

As shown in FIG. 4, the implant manipulation system 408 also includes a forceps device for holding the implant. The forceps device includes a first jaw 408 a and a second jaw 408 b. In contrast to the second jaws 108 b and 208 b above, however, the second jaw 408 b is a structure separate from the lumen 408 c. The forceps device in the device 400 is operated by an actuator 410 on the handle 402.

In alternative embodiments, the connector 418 of the device 400 may be coupled to an external liquid source so that the external lumen 408 c can deliver a liquid to the implant site. Indeed, it is contemplated that the devices 100 and 200 described above may additionally include an external lumen similar to the external lumen 408 c of device 400. This external lumen may be coupled to the handle 102 or 202 and connected to an external liquid source to deliver liquid to the implant site.

Although the example implementations described herein may involve manipulating donor corneal tissue to replace the endothelium and Descemet's membrane, it is contemplated that aspects of the present disclosure may be employed in other procedures on the eye and other parts of the body.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is also contemplated that additional embodiments according to aspects of the present disclosure may combine any number of features from any of the embodiments described herein. 

1-11. (canceled)
 12. A method for operating a tissue manipulation device, comprising: operating a first actuator on a handle of a tissue manipulation device to cause an engagement mechanism to engage a corneal implant, the engagement mechanism being disposed at a distal end of a guide extending from the handle; extending the guide into an eye and positioning the corneal implant at an implant site at a corneal posterior; operating a second actuator on the handle of the tissue manipulation device to deliver air to the corneal implant from an air chamber disposed in an interior chamber of the handle, the air being delivered via a lumen coupled to the air chamber and extending along the guide to the distal end; and operating the first actuator to release the corneal implant from the engagement mechanism.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the engagement mechanism includes a forceps having a first jaw and a second jaw, the first actuator causing the first jaw and the second jaw to move relative to each other to engage the corneal implant between the first jaw and the second jaw.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the engagement mechanism includes a first jaw of a forceps and a part of the lumen defines a second jaw of the forceps, the first actuator causing the first jaw to move relative to the second jaw to engage the corneal implant between the first jaw and the second jaw.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the air chamber is formed by an air bladder formed from a pliable material and the second actuator causes the air chamber to deliver the air by applying pressure to and compressing the air chamber.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the air chamber expands to draw additional air from outside the air chamber after the second actuator applies the pressure to the air chamber to deliver the air from the air chamber, and the method further comprising operating the second actuator to deliver the additional air to the corneal implant via the lumen.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein operating the second actuator causes the air chamber to deliver approximately 0.25 cm³ to approximately 0.50 cm³ of the air to the corneal implant.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the guide includes a guide channel extending through the guide, the lumen extends through the guide channel, and the engagement mechanism is coupled to the first actuator via a cable or one or more linkages extending through the guide channel.
 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the handle extends from the guide along a longitudinal axis, the first actuator is positioned a distance from the second actuator along the longitudinal axis, and the first actuator is positioned a further distance from the second actuator along a periphery of the handle, the periphery of the handle being defined on a plane intersecting the longitudinal axis.
 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the corneal implant rolls into a scroll or folded shape when engaged by the engagement mechanism and the delivered flattens the corneal implant. 